You are viewing an archived code
1. Capitol Boulevard Special Design (C) District: The City recognizes the importance of Capitol Boulevard and desires to protect and enhance its special character. Capitol Boulevard is one of the principal gateway streets in the State of Idaho. It links two of the most important historic buildings in the city - the State Capitol and the Boise Depot. In between these buildings lie a variety of uses that are of importance to the community, including cultural centers and parks, Boise State University, hotels, retail establishments, and restaurants.
A. Map:
(1) Boundary Map:
(a) North of the Boise River to, and including, the State Capitol: Properties located wholly or partially within one block of Capitol Boulevard to the east and west, or 350 feet from the curb line of Capitol Boulevard where no streets exist;
(b) South of the Boise River to and including the Depot;
(c) East side of Capitol Boulevard: Properties located wholly or partially within 500 feet of the curb line of Capitol Boulevard, and as projected in a straight line south to the railroad tracks at the Depot; and
(d) West side of Capitol Boulevard: Properties located wholly or partially within the area west of Capitol Boulevard from the Boise River southeast along the centerline of Lusk Street, 1,275 feet, more or less, to the centerline of Sherwood Avenue, thence southwest along the centerline of Sherwood Avenue, 325 feet, more or less, to the centerline of LaPointe Street, thence Southeast 600 feet, more or less, to a point that is 500 feet from the curb line of Capitol Boulevard at the extension of the centerline of Yale Street, thence south along a line that is 500 feet from the curb line of Capitol Boulevard to the centerline of Crescent Rim Drive, thence southeast 198 feet, more or less, along the centerline of Crescent Rim Drive to the centerline of Eastover Terrace, thence south along the centerline of Eastover Terrace 368 feet, more or less, to the railroad tracks at the Depot.
B. District Subareas: The District is divided into four areas:
(1) Downtown Corridor: Both sides of Capitol Boulevard from centerline of Front Street north to the centerline of State Street.
(2) Central Corridor: Both sides of Capitol Boulevard from centerline of Front Street south to the Boise River.
(3) Entrance Corridor: East side of Capitol Boulevard from the Boise River to the Depot.
(4) Exit Corridor: West side of 9th Street and Capitol Boulevard from the Boise River south to the Depot.
(5) Subareas Boundary Map:
C. Design Review Permit: Design is required for the following:
(1) Increase in building size by 10 percent or in parking lot size by 25 percent.
(2) Replacement of more than 25 percent of a building.
(3) Any new building or parking lot.
(4) A facade remodel that utilizes different materials and design features (A color change or the addition of non-permanent features such as fabric awnings are not subject to design review.)
D. Standards:
(1) Streetscape Requirements: Streetscape improvements for Capitol Boulevard shall comply with the adopted Capitol Boulevard Streetscape Master Plan.
(a) Applicability: The streetscape improvements shall be required and shown on the development plans when:
i. Constructing a new building or parking lot;
ii. Constructing an addition greater than 30 percent of the original square footage of the building, provided the addition is greater than 2,500 square feet gross floor area; or
iii. Constructing a parking lot addition along Capitol Boulevard that is greater than 50 percent of an existing parking area.
(b) Standards:
i. Downtown Corridor from Jefferson Street to Front Street: For each section of the Corridor, required improvements include, but are not limited to:
A. Brick streetscape shall remain along the west side of Capitol Boulevard from Bannock Street to Front Street.
B. Streetscape upgrades consistent with the "Urban Sidewalk - Brick" prototype in the Capitol Boulevard Streetscape Master Plan along the east side of Capitol Boulevard from Bannock Street to Front Street shall be considered at the time of application review.
C. Ten-foot wide detached sidewalk and nine-foot wide landscape strip adjacent to the street, with street trees, shrubs, and historic street lights along both sides of Capitol Boulevard from Bannock Street to Jefferson Street.
ii. Central Corridor Front Street to Fulton Street:
A. Relocated curb to form a 52-foot wide road section measured curb to curb.
B. Sidewalks with brick dry-laid pavers.
C. Planters with street trees, shrubs, and low steel fencing, as shown in the Capitol Boulevard Streetscape Master Plan.
D. Furnishing zone with historic street lights as shown in the Capitol Boulevard Streetscape Master Plan.
E. Benches, litter receptacles, movable planters, bicycle racks, & newsstands as shown in the Capitol Boulevard Streetscape Master Plan.
F. Kiosks, public art, and transit stops may be considered.
iii. Central Corridor Fulton Street to the Boise River:
A. Relocated curb to form a 52-foot wide road section (curb to curb).
B. Concrete sidewalks.
C. Landscape strips with lawn and street trees.
D. Historic street lights.
iv. Entrance and Exit Corridors:
A. Concrete sidewalks.
B. Landscape strips with lawn, shrubs, or street trees.
C. A second row of deciduous trees.
D. Historic street lights.
E. Bus stop shelters at select locations.
(2) Building/Structure Setbacks:
(a) Downtown Corridor: The setbacks of the underlying zone shall apply, except a 25-foot setback from the property line is required along Capitol Boulevard for any portion of a structure that is 45 feet or higher.
(b) Central Corridor: Minimum setbacks shall be as follows:
i. 45 feet from the centerline of Capitol Boulevard for structures up to 45 feet in height.
ii. 75 feet from the centerline of Capitol Boulevard for any portion of a structure that is higher than 45 feet.
iii. Only approved awnings, canopies, or similar projections may encroach into the public right-of-way.
(c) Entrance And Exit Corridors: Minimum setbacks shall be as follows:
i. 20 feet from the property line along Capitol Boulevard for structures less than 45 feet in height.
ii. 35 feet from the property line along Capitol Boulevard for any portion of a structure that is higher than 45 feet.
(d) Required Improvements Within Entrance And Exit Corridor Setback Areas: At-grade setback areas shall include landscaping, and one or more of the following:
i. An extension of the streetscape, such as a pedestrian space or a plaza utilizing benches, pavers, and other design elements;
ii. Sculptures, public art, or architectural design features;
iii. Canopies and other external decorative features, provided they do not encroach more than 30 percent into the setback;
iv. Sign(s; and
v. Low decorative masonry walls of three feet or less (see also Section 11-07-05.2.E(2)(d) Landscaping, Fences, Walls, and Screening).
(3) Parking Lot Setbacks And Requirements:
(a) New Structures/Lots: New detached structures and parking lots along Capitol Boulevard shall comply with the following:
i. Downtown Corridor: Parking lots shall be located below or behind buildings facing Capitol Boulevard.
ii. Central, Entrance, And Exit Corridors: Parking is allowed along the sides of the building provided the width of the parking area does not exceed 50 percent of the site frontage along Capitol Boulevard. Parking may not be located closer to Capitol Boulevard than the building, and shall not be allowed closer than 20 feet from Capitol Boulevard.
(b) Parking Lot Screening: Parking lots shall be screened using one or more of the following, unless otherwise approved by the DRC.
i. Decorative masonry screen walls - that may include wrought iron fencing. The maximum length without modulation may not exceed 30 feet.
ii. Landscaping plantings that will provide year-round screening.
(4) Building Design: Buildings shall be designed to the highest standards with consideration of the following:
(a) All building facade materials should be high quality to enhance the appearance of Capitol Boulevard. The same facade materials or other architecturally compatible facade materials should be used for all exposed building walls and other architectural features.
(b) Architectural style is not to be restricted, however the appearance of the building will be reviewed based on the use of materials and color, the quality of design, use of architectural details, and compatibility with the overall Boulevard development.
(c) Blank walls facing Capitol Boulevard are not allowed.
(d) Buildings located on corner sites that can be viewed from Capitol Boulevard should be given significance through the use of architectural elements, special materials, or height.
(e) Distinctive roof or other termination of the building facade.
(f) Windows, doors, eaves, and parapets should be proportional to one another.
(g) New buildings and any modifications to historic buildings shall comply with the "Design Guideline for Boise City's Historic Commercial Districts" and the Secretary of the Interior Guidelines.
(h) Canopies and awnings at street level should not be illuminated and should be functional for purposes of pedestrian use.
(i) Mechanical equipment should be well screened from public right-of-way with materials that are harmonious to the building.
(j) Utilities shall be installed underground, except for transportation facilities.
(5) Lighting: Low pedestrian/landscape lighting is encouraged and street lighting shall conform to the Capitol Boulevard Streetscape Master Plan.
(6) Vehicular Access:
(a) Curb cuts shall be limited to encourage pedestrian activity.
(b) Access points shall be defined with landscaping or other decorative elements.
(7) Restrictions Along Capitol Boulevard: The following shall not front on to Capitol Boulevard:
(a) Off-street service/loading areas;
(b) Trash dumpsters;
(c) Outdoor storage areas;
(d) Fuel pumps; and
(e) Drive-up windows.
(8) Signage: Sign standards for the C District shall be as indicated in Chapter 11-010, Sign Standards.
2. East Fairview Interim Overlay District:
A. Purpose: The East Fairview (EF) Interim Overlay District is established to create unique pedestrian-oriented exterior setback and streetscape standards for selected parcels (see zoning map) within the East Fairview Corridor between 30th Street and 24th Street. This Interim Overlay District shall expire upon replacement with a permanent zoning district for the larger 30th street corridor.
(1) Exterior Setbacks:
(a) Building and Parking Setbacks from Fairview Avenue and Main Street: A minimum setback of 17 feet and a maximum setback of 25 feet from back of curb.
(b) Building and Parking Setbacks from Numbered Streets: A minimum of 13-feet and a maximum of 17 feet from back of curb.
(2) Building Height: The maximum building height shall be 60 feet.
(3) Streetscapes:
(a) Streetscape Standards on Fairview Avenue and Main Street: A minimum of 10 feet of continuous landscaping behind back of curb and a minimum of 7 feet of detached sidewalk between the landscaping and the building.
(b) Streetscape Standards on Numbered Streets: A minimum of 6 feet of continuous landscaping behind back of curb and a minimum of 7 feet of detached sidewalk between the landscaping and the building. Alternatives to continuous landscaping may be approved by conditional use permit.
(4) Parking Area Requirements:
(a) Parking lots shall not dominate the street frontage or interrupt pedestrian routes. All parking areas shall be located to the side or rear of the principle building. Parking lots should be located behind buildings or in the interior of the block whenever possible. Low walls contained with landscaping should screen parking areas from views from the street.
(b) Parking areas shall not abut street intersections or occupy lots which terminate a street vista. A street vista means the view, framed by buildings, as the termination of the axis of a thoroughfare.
(c) All sites, where feasible, shall provide two-way cross-access to adjacent parcels.
(d) Surface parking lots not associated with a principal use shall be prohibited.
(5) Building Design Requirements: All buildings shall provide a front entrance addressing the primary street frontage.